He was in a terrible state, but he had won.
He raised his head and looked at the Sword Fiend, who was about to dissipate.
"That strike of yours was powerful."
Liu Beixuan spoke without his earlier swagger or contempt. There was a trace of seriousness and respect in his voice.
He took a step forward, and the white lotus platform beneath his feet slowly vanished.
He stood on the ravaged Arena, his white robes stained with dust and the ribs of his fan broken.
Yet the green jade pendant at his waist remained as lustrous as ever, its faint glow shimmering over the devastated Arena.
"But I told you: you don't have what it takes to show off in front of me."
The Sword Fiend's mouth twitched. His last lingering image dissolved in the wind, turning into a cloud of Blood Baleful dust that drifted down onto the Arena.
The bloodstained Long Sword stood alone, thrust into the ground. The crimson runes along its blade had gone completely dark, and its edge was smeared with mingled black and red blood.
Liu Beixuan stood at the center of the Arena and looked up at the countless eyes beyond it, filled with shock, awe, and frenzy.
He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.
He tucked the shattered White Jade Folding Fan back into his belt, retied the Azure Nether Jade Pendant, straightened his torn white robe, and brushed the dust from his shoulders.
Then that brazen smile slowly returned to his lips.
"Who else?"
Beyond the Arena, silence reigned.
No one dared answer.
Liu Beixuan swept his gaze around, nodded in satisfaction, and turned to leave the Arena.
After two steps, he stopped and glanced back at the bloodstained Long Sword planted in the ground.
"Oh, right. I'm taking your